Wafangdian Baolin Temple

Wafangdian Baolin Temple

Wafangdian Baolin Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

“Baolin Temple” is located in Wafangdian, Dalian, nestled in a mountain valley on the eastern side of Xiping Mountain, which was once known as the “Xiping Morning Moon.” It was built in the 19th year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (645 AD) and has a history of over a thousand years.

“Baolin Temple” is a thousand-year-old ancient temple that sits against mountains and near the sea, surrounded by beautiful waters and clear hills, a place of outstanding natural beauty and spiritual energy. This ancient temple boasts a long history and legendary tales, and was once renowned for its flourishing incense offerings and the belief that all prayers would be answered. As time passed, the once-famous Baolin Temple in Liaoning endured over a thousand years of dynastic changes through the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, but was completely destroyed in 1950, leaving only remnants of foundations and broken steles—a timeless pity.

This thousand-year-old ancient temple, “Baolin Temple,” is said to have originated in 645 AD (the 19th year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty) when Emperor Taizong of Tang personally led his army in battle against the chieftain of the Camel Mountain stronghold of Goguryeo. The army was stationed in an ancient temple on the top of Xiping Mountain, the origins of which dated back to an unknown dynasty. On New Year’s Eve, as the midnight bell tolled, Emperor Taizong suddenly spotted a crescent moon rising in the east and asked his ministers, “It’s New Year’s Eve—why is there a new moon?” The imperial advisor replied, “Seeing the moon on New Year’s Eve is unheard of throughout history. The appearance of this crescent moon is an auspicious sign, a mark of Your Majesty’s boundless fortune reaching the heavens, and a harbinger that the eastern campaign will soon succeed.” Moved by this unprecedented sight of a morning moon on New Year’s Eve, Emperor Taizong ordered the chief military engineer and supervisor Yu Chibao Lin to oversee the renovation of the temple and to re-gild the Buddha statues. In addition to restoring the North Hall to its original glory, the Emperor also commanded the construction of a new Eight-sided Hall of the Boundless View on the southern side. Yu Chibao Lin, however, misheard “Boundless View” as “Beamless View” and worried for three days and nights without sleep. Late one night, an elderly man appeared and said, “General, do not fret, I will guide you in the construction.” He then took out paper and brush to sketch a blueprint. Yu Chibao Lin suddenly had an epiphany: “Brilliant idea indeed. May I ask, venerable sir, who you are?” The old man replied, “I am Lu Ban.” He added, “This ancient temple is blessed with divine land and exceptional people. Restoring this temple aligns with Heaven’s will—I shall take my leave now.” Yu Chibao Lin then suddenly awoke, realizing it had all been a dream. Many days later, the ancient temple on Xiping Mountain was completed. The renovated temple was hailed as the finest example of architectural artistry in southern Liaoning. Emperor Taizong himself inspected the site and was full of praise, bestowing upon the temple the name “Baolin Temple.” Moreover, because Emperor Taizong had seen the crescent moon in the east on New Year’s Eve at Baolin Temple, the legend of the “Xiping Morning Moon” has been passed down through the centuries and remains widely told in Tuoshan.

Address: Tuoshan Township, Wafangdian City, Dalian, Liaoning Province

Transportation: Take a bus from Dalian to Wafangdian, then transfer to a minibus or taxi to reach the temple.